AFC Ludlow boss Dave Cooper watched his side lose 2-0 to St Martins on Saturday – and hopes the defeat will be the kick up the backside some of his players needed.

The West Midlands League Division One leaders were undone by two late goals but the outcome came as little surprise to the manager.

“It has been on the cards for a few weeks,” Cooper said. “The problem with a few of the lads is that they’re expecting sides just to roll over because we’re Ludlow and top of the league. We can be a little naïve at times.

“The really disappointing thing is that we’ve lost our unbeaten record at home but I just hope that this defeat will give a few of the players a kick up the backside.”

There had been little to choose between the sides for much of the game with Ludlow having their fair share of chances. Two efforts were cleared off the line with another hitting the crossbar as they looked to maintain their 15-point margin at the top.

St Martins also had chances and it was the visitors who made the breakthrough with eight minutes to go when leading scorer Jamie Hands found the net.

Cooper’s side pushed for an equaliser but were then caught when Shawn Melusi pounced on a stray pass and chipped the keeper to wrap up the points for the Oswestry-based side.

The Ludlow boss added: “They took the lead and, for the first time this season, we looked lost.

“It was a poor team performance and we would probably have been beaten by anyone on Saturday. There were only two or three players who could possibly hold their heads high knowing they had performed – the dressing room was not a good place after the match.

“This defeat certainly makes things a bit more difficult for us but it’s still in our own hands as we have to play the clubs around us.”

Ludlow are now 12 points clear of Shifnal Town but have played an extra three games. Hereford Lads Club are 18 points adrift in third but with seven games in hand.

But Cooper will have to wait before finding out how his players react to the weekend’s defeat as Ludlow’s next league game is on January 30 when they take on lowly Wyrley.

“It’s a shame because we want to get back out there as soon as possible,” he added. “But I’ve spoken to the manager of Pegasus Juniors and if their game is postponed, I’m hoping we can arrange a friendly with them.”